Science Daily is reporting that two recent scientific studies presented at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association claim that male circumcision reduces the risk of AIDS. Trusting the Truth of western medicine several African governments including Botswana are sponsoring programs to circumcise their citizens.
Even the ultra-benevolent Bill Gates the safety of home to subsidize male circumcision in Africa. What's the obsession with cutting up the genitals of people in the "third-world"? I think it begs the question if circumcision wasn't commanded by the voice of the Christian god, would westerners be so eager to force it on Others?
Certainly Westerners would care a lot less if the Christian God said otherwise, but many indigenous tribes of Africa already practice circumcision as a rite of passage into adulthood.
ReplyDeleteNot that I approve of it. I think we should be WELL passed that as a species. And I think it's weird that we're the only species that evolved to do something like that. We don't see dogs biting off their penis-sheaths (I don't know the proper name for that).
You know what else reduces the spread of AIDS, (adressed to African countries and the Pope)? CONDOMS.
Actually it's not so much the Christian God as the jewish one. It was the covenant between Abraham and Yaweh, which was later replaced with baptism for Christians, as recorded in the new testament.
ReplyDeleteI think it has a lot more to do with power and control. First world doctors and politicians are absolutely giddy at the notion of meddling with poor black penises because chopping off part of a dick is the ultimate statement of ownership. It's almost like branding. Plus it makes people more open to any sort of biological meddling, which could lead to acceptance of sterilization, or other extreme measures. But it's all for their good, right?
Meanwhile AIDS drugs are prohibitively expensive and pharmaceutical companies own the wealth of the world. It's fucked.
PS sorry I'm late to the game, just found your blog!